Thursday, February 13, 2014

Trustee candidate's CTAS payment on commission work session agenda

Well, it looks like those CTAS payments aren’t going away.
Knox County Commissioner Dave Wright wants the board to talk about an
educational payment given a couple years ago to Barry Hawkins, who at the time
was an employee in the Trustee’s Office and is now a candidate for Trustee.

“I think that would be hypocritical, in a way, to say ‘I’m
going to be able to run this office,’ when he participated in something that
caused some people to lose their job,” Wright said.

Quick rehash: Former Knox County Trustee John Duncan III
gave himself and six other employees each a $3,000 education bonus - most of it
tied to the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Services, or
CTAS , program - in December 2010, three months after taking office. To get the
money, you must be certified as a “public administrator.” None of the employees
were. Almost a year later, in late October, he gave himself and another 11
people the same payments.

Duncan and several staffers eventually pleaded guilty to
various crimes connected to the disbursement of the money and resigned from
office.

In the meantime, everyone paid back the money, except for
Hawkins. He received $3,000 in the first go-around, but left soon after. He was
not certified

Hawkins is one of three Republicans, including Commissioner
Ed Shouse and interim Trustee Craig Leuthold, running for the seat. The primary
is set for May with a general election in August. James Berrier, a Democrat,
also is seeking the gig.

Wright, referring to Shouse and Leuthold, said “they’re both
good guys” and that he’s not necessarily supporting either one, but that he’s
been asked to introduce Leuthold at an event.

“I think they both could do a good job,” he said.

I put a note out to Hawkins to see if he wants to weigh in
on the item. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear back.

For another take on the matter, click right smack here for what the Rogue has to say.

The commission will talk more about the issue during its Feb. 18 work session.

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the glass is usually half empty

My name is Mike Donila and I'm a reporter with WBIR in Knoxville, TN. I cover government. All politics is local, and mostly ridiculous. Travis Fain of Lucid Idiocy said that. He's a smart guy. This is my blog. The content ranges.